Students completing the Clinical Laboratory Science program curriculum are prepared to work in a modern clinical laboratory performing a wide range of laboratory procedures used in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and health maintenance. They develop academic and technical competence in the major areas of clinical laboratory practice—hematology, clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, and immunohematology.

Students develop academic knowledge, clinical skills, and professional behavior through classroom, lab, and clinical experiences.

Most Clinical Laboratory Science courses (MED) are offered during the day.

Phlebotomy is a required component of the Clinical Laboratory Science program.

Once enrolled in the Clinical Laboratory Science program, students are required to complete all courses in the required sequence of instruction in order to integrate theoretical and clinical education.

The pass rate for graduates taking the Medical Laboratory Technician exam offered by American Society for Clinical Pathology-Board of Certification was 100% for the Class of 2012 and the Class of 2013.

Program Accreditation

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018. Telephone 773-714-8800.

Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).

Prior To Admission

To be most successful, applicants must have completed math through high school algebra II, and high school level biology, and chemistry. (These courses may be taken at BCC before admission to the program.) Technological literacy is also important.

Students are advised to complete two to four of the general education courses, such as ENG 101, ENG 102, History awareness elective, PSY 101, MTH 119, and Humanities elective prior to program admission.

After BCC

Many clinical laboratory technicians work in hospital laboratories; however, career opportunities are available in physician’s offices, HMOs, biotechnology, veterinary clinics and reference, industrial, environmental, and military laboratories. The CLS degree provides a foundation that allows graduates to pursue medical education, sales, and computer careers. Many graduates pursue advanced degrees in Medical Laboratory Science and other medical fields.

BCC participates in the statewide MassTransfer program and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer.

For a complete listing of eligible MassTransfer programs and current BCC articulation agreements, visit the Transfer Affairs website at www.Bristolcc.edu/transfer

Course Sequence - Fall Semester 3

Course Sequence - Spring Semester 4

The Clinical Laboratory Science program is a competitive program with selective admission requirements. A limited number of students are admitted. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee admission. Successful candidates have excelled in high school and/or college science and math courses.

Students applying to the program with a high school diploma must demonstrate a minimum grade point average of 2.5. Prerequisite courses include high school or college Algebra II, chemistry, and biology with laboratory component, with a minimum grade of “C.”

If a student has passed a state-approved high school equivalency credential, but does not meet the minimum score requirements, they may alternatively meet this qualification by earning the required high school GPA/minimum grade in the pre-admission requirement courses as follows:

GPA of 2.5 in the following three courses or equivalents: Algebra II, chemistry w/lab and biology w/lab

Or if a student applies to the program with a G.E.D. he/she must demonstrate an overall score of 2500, with a minimum score of 500 in math and a minimum score of 500 in science. G.E.D. Students must take the required prerequisite courses prior to being considered for admission to the program.

It is strongly recommended that students complete the science courses required for admission and program degree completion within 10 years of application to the program.

Requirements Upon Admission

Accepted applicants must have a physical examination, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox) immunizations or titre results (blood test to prove immune status). A TB test is required each year. Students must carry personal health insurance, professional liability insurance, and have current CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.

Upon admission to the CLS Program, all students must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check, and a drug screen performed by a facility under contract with Bristol Community College. A positive CORI, SORI and/or drug screen may prevent students from working in contracted health facilities, which will prevent students from completing the program objectives. These checks are required due to potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly during a clinical experience. Students found to have certain criminal convictions or pending criminal actions will be presumed ineligible for clinical placement. The College is authorized by the Commonwealth's Department of Criminal Justice to access CORI records. Sex Offender checks shall be performed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178P.

Students accepted into the program are responsible for associated costs such as uniforms, books, name tags, safety supplies, transportation to and from clinical assignments, drug screen and certification exam application fees.

Grade Requirements

A minimum of “C“ is required for BIO 154, BIO 239, CHM 115, CHM 116, and MTH 119 to provide the necessary foundation for MED courses. Students must pass all components of the MED courses (lecture and laboratory on campus and clinical practicum at the affiliate agency) with a minimum grade of “C.” Students who do not achieve the minimum grade of “C“ in the on campus lecture and laboratory components will not be allowed to progress to the clinical practicum.

Students who fail to attain a grade of “C“ in each of the MED course components (lecture and laboratory on campus and clinical practicum at the affiliate agency) will receive a course grade no higher than a “D.”

A student who fails to attain a minimum grade of “C“ in the clinical practicum will receive a course grade no higher than a “D.”

A student who receives an unsatisfactory clinical grade due to negligent or unsafe practice will receive a final course grade of "F".

Failure to achieve the required grade in MED courses may result in dismissal from the program.

Students are eligible to reapply to the program one time only through the Admissions Office.

Clinical Affiliations

Placement in a clinical practicum is a full-time commitment and students should limit outside work obligations.

Transportation to clinical practicum sites is the responsibility of the students. Students should be prepared to travel an hour or more from campus. The availability of clinical practicums depends on the area healthcare providers’ ability to accept students.

In some cases, practicums may be completed beyond the semester schedule. All related practicums must be completed within six months of completing the lecture/laboratory component of MED course. Students who exceed this time limit must demonstrate that they have maintained competency prior to placement.

Essential Functions

The Clinical Laboratory Science program essential functions include certain cognitive, physical and behavioral abilities which are necessary to perform the duties of a professional Clinical Laboratory Technician.

In order to meet the course requirements, students must possess the following basic abilities:

Cognitive ability sufficient to learn and use the body of knowledge necessary to meet the program curriculum requirements and attain career entry status in the profession.

Physical ability, sufficient mobility, and motor coordination to safely collect and process patient specimens and perform laboratory testing procedures using a microscope, computer and various types of diagnostic instruments.